This isn't exactly a savings, but sometimes it pays to open your junk mail. I had a letter from some sort of survey company, and it included a $1 bill. I always open junk mail to see if the contents need to be shredded, so it was a nice surprise to find money inside.

Finally nailed the recipe for no knead homemade bread using whey strained from homemade yogurt. It's all about the 5's: 5 minutes of work, 5 cups of flour, 5 repeats of "mmm" when it comes out of the oven!

My husband took lunch to work. This is a big deal since he drops $15 a day for lunch for the past 12 years.

I made it super easy for him - even packing spoon, fork and snack. And got his input on what he wants to take for lunch everyday. This means more cooking and planning for me but I can change our dinner based on it.

If he can stick to it, we'd save over $300 a month. Saving it $15 at a time.

Today:* Discussed moving location options with spouse.* Solicited a couple of clients.* Ate simply.* Refrigerated a couple of unused tablespoons of condiments from lunch to use tomorrow.* Opted not to go grocery shopping.* Now up to more than 130 LPs to sell/be rid of.

Tonight:* Investing uninvested money.* Making dinner from what's in the fridge/freezer/cupboards.

Had canceled subscriptions for services I no longer need -- mostly stuff from living abroad. They tried to charge me for them anyway. I got them refunded. $28 saved.

Been minimum 10 days since I've turned on the heat!

Found out that electricity is cheaper than gas so I'll be using my pressure cooker and slow cooker more regularly instead of the oven!

My projector light has been bugging pretty hard recently. Sometimes I just turn off the projector and turn her back on and she works. Still, I probably either need to replace the bulb (risky) OR buy a new projector...

OR I just take it all apart, dust everything with a can of computer air, and see how she does. We'll keep trying until she's really, truly, completely, dead. Then instead of buying a new one, I'll just buy a $60 replacement bulb!

sipping bulk mint tea out of a honey jar to use up the last bit of sweetness. Wrapped up in a blanket, burning a couple thrift store candles. Haven't had heat on since the 9th, except for a little when I shower... It was 48 in the house when I got home one night last week, but I knew the outside temp was supposed to be close to 70 the next day, and it was already close 10 pm so I crawled in bed and bad assed my way through the cold.

Those things are really habitual. The bigger money saver today was getting my friend/coworker to cut my hair. I haven't had a real hair cut in several years. I've been trimming it myself but even with the pony tail methods and all that I've had a hard time getting nice layers. I think she did a decent job. I'll return a favor one day soon.

Another friend was commenting that she needed to pick up more washing soda and borax for her laundry soap and I stopped her and told her I'd share. I'm planning to move in about 6 months, so I separated out more than enough to last me that long into cottage cheese containers and I'll give her the rest. Did that save me money? Perhaps not today, but she is a friend who returns a favor, or picks me up at the garage when my car needs work. I am also so glad to have less to move and less to worry about. Less is more is my long term money saving plan.

I also picked up a couple grocery store giftcards to take advantage of chase cash back rewards that end this month.

I started parking in the far corner of the bottom lot at work. It is a few hundred feet less driving and more walking and includes two flights of stairs. wooh!

I charged my laptop at work (while I was doing legitimate work on it), but I do often try to bring it home charged.

Going in together with the laundry soap friend for a gift for another friend who's having a rough time. We'll just bit getting a gift bag full of goodies together, but I volunteered to bring a giftbag from home. I'll supply some tissue paper and ribbon too to make it fun. (The more I use, the less to move...)

Connected with the farmers market about setting up a booth this year to sell some of my sewing and some of my excess sewing supplies. Still considering if it will be worth the time investment and gas, but I at least have the information now to decide.

I'm also working my way through scanning a lot of personal photos on the scanner at work during breaks. They don't mind and I am making quite a dent. I plan to be finished and free of the weight before my move.

Making some Tuscan Tomato bread soup for supper tonight to use up some leftover stale bread and and the dredges of a massive (too big to be practical) can of tomatoes.

Cleaned out the crisper drawer and made some fresh juice using an ancient and very effective juicer I was given. Carrot and fennel with some fresh squeezed (from totally dried out) grapefruits. I was really surprised by how much juice they still had inside! side note: found some lettuce and fresh herbs that I had stuck in those "green" produce bags that you see on TV. They were given to me, and I was skeptical - but over a month later they were still usable and crispy! Clearly I need to get better at cleaning out the fridge.

Hubby called from work and said he wanted to go out for dinner last night. I asked him what he felt like having and he said "chicken strips and cesar salad" it's a pretty easy meal so I pulled it together and added some fresh homemade garlic bread for bonus points.

I packed my lunch, breakfast, and snacks. I filled up my water bottle at the drinking fountain, and I realized I've had my Nalgene for over 5 years (and use it every weekday). I made two cups of tea at work using my fancy loose leaf tea.I received a large dark chocolate bar from a coworker as a gift because I loaned her my international adapter for her work trip last week. Another coworker (on the same trip) brought me a Kinder Egg (with TOY!) for taking notes at a meeting for him. I put a bucket in the shower to catch water for my new tomato, pepper, and squash plants.

I packed my lunch, breakfast, and snacks. I filled up my water bottle at the drinking fountain, and I realized I've had my Nalgene for over 5 years (and use it every weekday). I made two cups of tea at work using my fancy loose leaf tea.I received a large dark chocolate bar from a coworker as a gift because I loaned her my international adapter for her work trip last week. Another coworker (on the same trip) brought me a Kinder Egg (with TOY!) for taking notes at a meeting for him. I put a bucket in the shower to catch water for my new tomato, pepper, and squash plants.

I know, right? had to read that five times. I think it means:

after I ate a banana, I did my chest workout with Bodybeast DVD

Thanks for decoding the message. I thought his DVD threw a banana at his chest.

Celebrated the Hub's return from business travel with "breakfast out", that is I cooked my version of the standard two eggs, etc. breakfast you buy in a hotel restaurant. I admit that I was showing off how much better it is when I make it with home made bread and fresh ground coffee.

I stopped at the YMCA on my lunch break today to start a family membership (face punch worthy?). I wanted to enroll my son in swim classes and they cost $55 per month. Well, we can buy a full family membership for $63/mo, so that was easy. Anyway, as I was filling out the paperwork, the lady at the desk told me they are starting a promotion next week that waives the $60 joiner fee. So she encouraged me to come back next week and save the $60. I thanked her profusely.

Cut my hair with a Flobee. Detailed the inside of my car myself. Made a couple key chains and bottle toppers to sell at a craft faire.

Tried to repair my vacuum and discovered that one of the parts that destroyed itself was not available from Bissell, so had to buy a new vacuum (small face punch, but I do the vacuuming and we like a semi-clean floor) because we have seven indoor cats (all rescued) and with the amount of fur flying caused us to name the hairballs rolling around the floor. The biggest one forms in one specific spot, and we named it Herman. Yes, Herman gets removed periodically, but magically reappears after a couple days.

Tried to repair my vacuum and discovered that one of the parts that destroyed itself was not available from Bissell, so had to buy a new vacuum (small face punch, but I do the vacuuming and we like a semi-clean floor) because we have seven indoor cats (all rescued) and with the amount of fur flying caused us to name the hairballs rolling around the floor. The biggest one forms in one specific spot, and we named it Herman. Yes, Herman gets removed periodically, but magically reappears after a couple days.

Ah, cats. My not-mustacian purchase of the week is a little $50 carpet spot cleaner, when I already have a big carpet cleaner in the house. But one of the cats has decided to grace us with hairballs 3-4 times a week, and getting the big carpet cleaner up the stairs, then cleaning all the pieces after using it, then having them drying on my kitchen counter while the big machine lurks in the kitchen . . .

In mustachian news, I made little seedling pots out of the free newspaper that we get once a week, and started another round of garden veggies and flowers for the garden this year.

My husband took lunch to work. This is a big deal since he drops $15 a day for lunch for the past 12 years.

I made it super easy for him - even packing spoon, fork and snack. And got his input on what he wants to take for lunch everyday. This means more cooking and planning for me but I can change our dinner based on it.

If he can stick to it, we'd save over $300 a month. Saving it $15 at a time.

Had a pretty frugal day!* Made hamburgers for dinner, so I also made buns from scratch instead of purchasing them.* Worked on a child's birthday present I'm making while waiting for him to come out of class -- instead of driving home and then driving back to pick him up an hour later.* Scheduled the cub scout meeting at my house so I wouldn't have to drive to our regular meeting location. (Would need to bring too many supplies to walk/bike).* Decided I wanted a new spring wreath to hang on the door. Couldn't justify spending $5 -$10 bucks on a new wreath form, so I used an old steering wheel cover we had lying around and other supplies I had on hand to create a pretty wreath.* Went out for coffee with DH. Used a gift card to pay for it. We had a lovely 1 1/2 hour long convo about our 10 year life plan and goals. Realized that if things go even remotely close to plan we will be ready to FIRE in 8 more years. Made some plans together that should help speed that up a bit.* Eldest son went out and sold some coupon cards for a fundraiser. He has now earned enough money that we will only need to pay for $24 of his $300 summer camp fee -- and the fundraiser isn't over yet. He has earned the entire camp fee on his own for the last three years now!

And not something I did, but something that will give us more money to throw at FIRE -- was offered and accepted a 4 month editor contract for a client, while their staff editor is on mat leave. I've never done editorial work, but fortunately this is just content editing (making sure things flow smoothly and fit the client's guidelines). Another freelancer is handling the actual copy editing. Looking over the work, I will be paid more for less hours than I typically get writing. Plus they are paying for a 12 month subscription to two online services I need to use in my work, AND these services allow me to add the 12 months onto the end of my current prepaid subscription period.

Came home late from work yesterday and really wanted to get some take-out. Instead opted for a simple meal, which only costed $2 in groceries, since we had all other things in our cupboard. Savings of about $15!

Made yummy coconut bread pudding from old hamburger buns that were about to be thrown out. Used up coconut milk, brown sugar and coconut from pantry too (trying to clear out before moving)Refrained from getting whatever at grocery store and stuck to my list (mostly, I bought more shredded coconut, face punch! It will get used but not prior to moving!). Went to doctor and a avoided copay by having it be a well woman exam (way overdue anyway). Randomly learned my doc (a mentor) is leaving at he end of this week and moving cross country, so got to say good bye as well. Used leftover meat for tacos, all from fridge stuff needing to be eaten. And have enough for lunch tomorrow too.

For people selling on eBay/craigslist, how do you decide if it is worth it? Especially LPs or clothes?

- Last week it was in the 50s. This week it dropped back to the 30s. Keeping the heater off and making due with sweaters, thick socks, and blankets. No reason to turn the system back on when we'll be back in the 50s by the end of the week. - Not great leftovers earlier this week (does anyone else have a problem with pineapples in leftovers?) but we ate them anyway. Crockpot potato soup last night with the .99 Aldi potatoes (and we still have some left!), a lot of other veggies, and the chicken stock from our whole chicken a few weeks ago. Hefty dinner for the BF and I and about four servings left for the rest of the week's lunches.

For people selling on eBay/craigslist, how do you decide if it is worth it? Especially LPs or clothes?

I personally decided the eBay/Craiglist route isn't worth it right now. We, too, are looking to move in the next few months so we're looking to get rid of things quickly, but we're also loaded up with client work so time is short. So we're going the middle route: clothes to ThredUp and Twice, LPs to vintage record store, anything not appropriate for either to local Goodwill. We won't make as much as if we'd gone the individual sale route, of course, but the client work is waaaay more lucrative in this case, and when we do reach a slow work period (when we could dedicate time to selling stuff), we need to be out of here. Even if we only average $1 for every item, that's still $250ish dollars we didn't have before.

Were we selling one by one, though, I'd set a mental minimum dollar amount per unit, under which (to me) it's not worth the time/effort. We do the same with books on Amazon. There's no time needed to take photos, write extensive descriptions, etc., with Amazon -- it's just 5 minutes for a description, 5 for packaging, and an excuse to take a walk to the post office -- so our minimum is a low $4. For the time involved to do eBay/Craiglist, though, my minimum would be higher.

I set up a meeting in a little under two hours to meet with my rental property manager and hand over my notice of termination. I managed the property myself a few years ago and got terribly stressed out dealing with horrible people. I can handle the maintenance, I can't handle bad tenants! Eventually I handed all responsibilities to the management company, but now they are just as stressful as dealing with the tenants directly. Ok, to be fair, they are not nearly as stressful, but they are draining me for every last dollar they can suck out of me. The maintenance things they were charging me for were absurd and they are no good at finding decent tenants. It's not worth it anymore.

Hopefully I know enough now, and have enough resources, to be able to get good tenants and deal with it myself. I'm nervous like I imagine I would be leaving any other toxic relationship. Nervous for the future and whether I can handle it, but I know I can't stay in this situation any longer.

I set up a meeting in a little under two hours to meet with my rental property manager and hand over my notice of termination. I managed the property myself a few years ago and got terribly stressed out dealing with horrible people. I can handle the maintenance, I can't handle bad tenants! Eventually I handed all responsibilities to the management company, but now they are just as stressful as dealing with the tenants directly. Ok, to be fair, they are not nearly as stressful, but they are draining me for every last dollar they can suck out of me. The maintenance things they were charging me for were absurd and they are no good at finding decent tenants. It's not worth it anymore.

Hopefully I know enough now, and have enough resources, to be able to get good tenants and deal with it myself. I'm nervous like I imagine I would be leaving any other toxic relationship. Nervous for the future and whether I can handle it, but I know I can't stay in this situation any longer.

Wish me luck!

Good luck! A quote that always helps me through rough times with toxic people is a quote from Tim Ferriss from 4 hour work week, “A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”

I set up a meeting in a little under two hours to meet with my rental property manager and hand over my notice of termination. I managed the property myself a few years ago and got terribly stressed out dealing with horrible people. I can handle the maintenance, I can't handle bad tenants! Eventually I handed all responsibilities to the management company, but now they are just as stressful as dealing with the tenants directly. Ok, to be fair, they are not nearly as stressful, but they are draining me for every last dollar they can suck out of me. The maintenance things they were charging me for were absurd and they are no good at finding decent tenants. It's not worth it anymore.

Hopefully I know enough now, and have enough resources, to be able to get good tenants and deal with it myself. I'm nervous like I imagine I would be leaving any other toxic relationship. Nervous for the future and whether I can handle it, but I know I can't stay in this situation any longer.

Wish me luck!

Good luck! A quote that always helps me through rough times with toxic people is a quote from Tim Ferriss from 4 hour work week, “A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”

Thank you. I'll keep that quote for when I need it. I'm usually pretty good at uncomfortable conversations, I just get this horrible intense fury/despair/stress combination in my gut when I feel like I'm being cheated or taken advantage of and I'm not sure how to handle that.

I'm feeling that right now actually, having this meeting in 90 min... but I know when I walk out of there I will have a huge grin on my face for having taken the plunge and made the decision. :)

I set up a meeting in a little under two hours to meet with my rental property manager and hand over my notice of termination. I managed the property myself a few years ago and got terribly stressed out dealing with horrible people. I can handle the maintenance, I can't handle bad tenants! Eventually I handed all responsibilities to the management company, but now they are just as stressful as dealing with the tenants directly. Ok, to be fair, they are not nearly as stressful, but they are draining me for every last dollar they can suck out of me. The maintenance things they were charging me for were absurd and they are no good at finding decent tenants. It's not worth it anymore.

Hopefully I know enough now, and have enough resources, to be able to get good tenants and deal with it myself. I'm nervous like I imagine I would be leaving any other toxic relationship. Nervous for the future and whether I can handle it, but I know I can't stay in this situation any longer.

Wish me luck!

Good luck! A quote that always helps me through rough times with toxic people is a quote from Tim Ferriss from 4 hour work week, “A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”

Thank you. I'll keep that quote for when I need it. I'm usually pretty good at uncomfortable conversations, I just get this horrible intense fury/despair/stress combination in my gut when I feel like I'm being cheated or taken advantage of and I'm not sure how to handle that.

I'm feeling that right now actually, having this meeting in 90 min... but I know when I walk out of there I will have a huge grin on my face for having taken the plunge and made the decision. :)

Neighbor just gave me a bag of soap and lotion. Originally gifts from her SIL whom she is mad at and never wants to think about again. I thanked profusely and made slightly rude jokes about the SIL. I think I am getting a reputation as a person who is always glad to accept a used thing.

Mailed in two rebate offers and in 6-8 weeks will hopefully get back $7 :)

You're doing so well! Your efforts the past month+ have not gone unnoticed. Good job!

Thank you so much, MountainGal! Wow - you really made my day! I really have made some quite profound changes in my life and it feels great to be able to share the small successes. Thank you so much for your support!

Bonus for today - sent request to HR to increase my retirement plan contribution another 4%. Sort of scared this will leave me short on payday . . . . but determined to find a way to compensate for that!

Carefully analysed the reasons why I felt I needed some additional clothes, worked out exactly what I actually need, then bought those items second-hand on ebay (thus getting excellent quality at 25% of retail prices).

Having dinner out tonight with friends, but arranged to go to a BYO wine restaurant, plus one friend is bringing a discount card for 25% off.

Planning out what to pack for a local trip - still won't be cheap (especially accommodation!) but for the first time ever we'll be bringing some food with us including homemade bread and almond butter, so that we'll have lower costs and better nutrition than we would if we ate out three meals a day / bought groceries at the holiday location.

For people selling on eBay/craigslist, how do you decide if it is worth it? Especially LPs or clothes?

I personally decided the eBay/Craiglist route isn't worth it right now. We, too, are looking to move in the next few months so we're looking to get rid of things quickly, but we're also loaded up with client work so time is short. So we're going the middle route: clothes to ThredUp and Twice, LPs to vintage record store, anything not appropriate for either to local Goodwill. We won't make as much as if we'd gone the individual sale route, of course, but the client work is waaaay more lucrative in this case, and when we do reach a slow work period (when we could dedicate time to selling stuff), we need to be out of here. Even if we only average $1 for every item, that's still $250ish dollars we didn't have before.

Were we selling one by one, though, I'd set a mental minimum dollar amount per unit, under which (to me) it's not worth the time/effort. We do the same with books on Amazon. There's no time needed to take photos, write extensive descriptions, etc., with Amazon -- it's just 5 minutes for a description, 5 for packaging, and an excuse to take a walk to the post office -- so our minimum is a low $4. For the time involved to do eBay/Craiglist, though, my minimum would be higher.

Thanks for the info and your experience. I don't know if it is even with my time for less than $50 total (I'm guessing). But I do have a couple clothes that twice might want. On the plus side, I finally followed up with the State on an unclaimed claim they had of mine. I looked into it about 2 years ago, but they needed some documentation and I didn't get around to it. They have since revamped the system and I was able to claim it electronically. Easy Peasy $800 in 10Minutes that I thought was gone forever before. And I found another claim that is mine too, but it is going to take more work. No problem!

And I took my lunch to work, and ate dinner at home.

Anyone know where to buy a good professional interview outfit? Suit or similar professional level, ladies? The goodwill sucks near me and I have a few gift cards I can use. I want something really good as I have a bunch of interviews lined up in the next few months.

Anyone know where to buy a good professional interview outfit? Suit or similar professional level, ladies? The goodwill sucks near me and I have a few gift cards I can use. I want something really good as I have a bunch of interviews lined up in the next few months.

Try Express - I got a pair of their grey Editor pants and a black jacket for interviews last year. They fit perfectly and seem to be good quality.

Mailed in two rebate offers and in 6-8 weeks will hopefully get back $7 :)

You're doing so well! Your efforts the past month+ have not gone unnoticed. Good job!

Thank you so much, MountainGal! Wow - you really made my day! I really have made some quite profound changes in my life and it feels great to be able to share the small successes. Thank you so much for your support!

Bonus for today - sent request to HR to increase my retirement plan contribution another 4%. Sort of scared this will leave me short on payday . . . . but determined to find a way to compensate for that!

Today I was able to work from home! No gas used, no opportunity for on-the-fly spending. Bonus-- a little extra sleep in the morning, too. What a treat. Would love to be able to work this into my schedule every week.

The lunch I brought to work sucked (sometimes my creativity/skill with using up leftovers is lacking . . . ) Well, I have to eat because will out/about until way late tonight. So instead of going to buy lunch, I went home and cooked up some food to pack with me for the rest of the day.

It cost the gas to get home and back, but still works out to less than if I had gone out to eat. Plus, I do NOT get to be rewarded for bringing a crappy lunch!

Neighbor just gave me a bag of soap and lotion. Originally gifts from her SIL whom she is mad at and never wants to think about again. I thanked profusely and made slightly rude jokes about the SIL. I think I am getting a reputation as a person who is always glad to accept a used thing.

I also have this reputation! Houseplants, furniture, clothing, food, etc.... I try to keep our clutter way down, so sometimes I just end up donating it, but I keep the stuff that works for us :)

Coworker gave me an old iPhone speaker thing he couldn't use now that he's got an iPhone 5 or 6 or whatever. Sold it for $20 since I won't use it. I know a deal when I see one!